Elder Care Issues

Driving Assessment Checklist for Seniors

Driving Assessment Checklist

If you are unsure about your loved one’s ability to drive, this checklist can help.

To view the checklist, “Click Here”. 

Asking an elderly parent or relative to stop driving is difficult, because driving provides individuals with the ability to remain independent. Yet, many elderly drivers are a danger to themselves and others on the road. It’s important, therefore, that the family, friends, and other caregivers of these individuals be able to identify potential driving problems and to request that the person stop any dangerous driving behavior.

For some individuals, this may be as simple as driving only on certain kinds of roads (e.g., no highways) or driving only during daylight hours. For more dangerous drivers, however, it is important that the individual stop driving altogether, and find other transportation options that will provide him or her with continued independence. If your loved one’s driving worries you—or if you are unsure whether your loved one should continue to drive—you will probably want to perform a specific assessment before talking to him or her about the problem. Click on the link below to view the assessment, feel free to print as many copies as you like. “Click Here”

Alzheimer’s an Urgent Epidemic

VIDEO -  Alzheimer’s an Urgent Epidemic?

This video will increase your understanding of the epidemic of Alzheimer’s disease, and help you form the necessary frame of reference to deal with these problems effectively.

Researchers do not know the exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease, but it is most likely due to a combination of a variety of genetic and other factors.  This informative and easy to understand three minute video is definitely worth your time and will benefit all those that are affected by this destructive disease.

Medical Alerts and Caregivers

Find out more about medical alarms, Click Here.

It is very important to be aware of (PERS) Personal Emergency Response Systems. People may joke about the catchphrase “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” but there are very serious situations in which an elderly person has fallen, broken something or been knocked unconscious with a potentially fatal injury and they need help. If you or someone you know needs a personal emergency response system (PERS) there are many functions that increase safety. If the button is pushed, the response center will contact family or friend’s cell phone and inform them of the situation and they can respond accordingly, calling to see if one is ok, rushing over if one needs help, or contact emergency services when needed.

Medical alerts have started to become more and more of a convenience for people who live alone and are at risk of injury or illness. Elders whose loved ones have passed on or left the city, patients who have recurring heart failures, breathing problems, or other fatal issues; and mentally challenged patients have all turned to medical alerts to keep them safe, healthy and alive. The base unit sends out a distress signal to the response center, who will then contact emergency services or any number of people who are designated. This guarantees that the person in danger receives help immediately so as to avoid further complications.

Living without one of these life-saving medical alerts could be dangerous or risky. Without someone to keep an eye on you, and without these trusty devices monitoring your safety, seniors are running the risk of having an accident. If one fell at home, with no alarm, one may be in pain for hours, if not days, simply because no one was aware that the senior was harmed.

If a senior is sound of mind and body, but getting up in years, one may simply want the reassurance of knowing someone is a push of a button away. By having a medical alert, one can maintain the freedom of living at home.  The alert devices are built for that purpose; on any day at any given time if one should have an accident this device will be there to make sure that help is on the way. Reliable, safe, easy to use, and affordable, our medical alerts are available, guaranteed to fit ones needs and lifestyle.

Find out more about medical alarms, Click Here.

6 Red Flags – Things that Cause Seniors to Fall

The following are some products that caregivers can use to keep their elderly loved ones from falling.

Monitors/sensor pads. Sensors work well for the bed, chair, or toilet. The pads electronically detect the absence of pressure, which in turn sends an electronic signal to the monitor setting off an alarm. Used on a bed, the pressure pads can be under or on top of the mattress. They are very thin, so they do not disturb sleeping and are plugged into the monitor via a telephone type line. Chair and toilet sensors work in the same way.
There are also pad/monitors that detect and sound an alarm if a person steps on the pad (detects pressure). This type of pad can be used beside the bed, in a hallway or in front of a chair while the person is seated.

Fall mats. Fall mats are used in areas where a person could be injured from a fall on a hard floor such as the side of a bed, by a toilet or in front of a chair. They are cushioned floor mats of various sizes 1-inch or 2-inches thick with beveled edges. They cushion the fall and prevent injuries.

Anti-slip mats. Install these on the bath tub or shower floor. The hard rubber material prevents the elderly person from slipping and provides stability.

Grab bars. Install them near the toilet, in the bathtub and shower.
Shower chair or transfer bench. When getting in and out of the tub, transfer benches provide stability and help the caregiver get the elderly in and out of the tub safely, without injuring the elderly person or the caregiver.

Lift slings. Lift slings are used to move an elderly person who is unable to move themselves from bed to a wheelchair or chair. There are 3 common reasons that caregivers may need a lift: if the elderly parent is too heavy to be transferred without assistance; to prevent injury to the caregiver; and to prevent the elderly person from injury or falling.
Canes and walkers. They help seniors feel steady on their feet. Make sure the mobility device you choose is the correct height for your elderly parent, and has rubber tip or other traction on the bottom, for safety.

Socks, shoes and slippers. Wearing properly fitted, low-heeled, non-slip footwear for walking and transferring provides traction and is much safer than going barefoot. Many socks and shoes are available with non-skid treads on the bottom, to keep your elderly parents safe and help reduce slipping accidents. Avoid slippers that can easily slip on and off.

How do I go about finding a caregiver for my loved one who needs assistance?
Approved In Home Care provides care to seniors, please contact us at 972-658-4001.

Home Safety for Seniors

Home accidents are a major cause of injury and death for all Americans. For those over 60, the risk of death and injury may be greater than for others. Older people need to take special precautions to ensure a safe living environment. Most accidents in the home can be prevented by the elimination of hazards. The following are suggestions that you can make your home a safer place to live.

Kitchen Safety

Look at the facilities in your kitchen and use the following suggestions to determine safety.

• The stove and sink areas are well lighted
• The stove is not located under a window in which curtains are hanging.
• The exhaust hood of the oven is provided with filters that can be easily removed for cleaning.
• The kitchen exhaust system discharges directly outside or through ducts to the outside and not into the attic or other unused space.
• Hazardous household agents are stored out of reach of children.
• When cooking, panhandles are turned away from other burners and from the edge of the stove.
• Small appliances are disconnected when not in use.
• Knives are kept in a knife rack or drawer.
• Counter tops and work areas are cleared of all unnecessary objects.
• Grease and liquid spills are wiped up.

Bathroom Safety

Make sure your bathroom meets the following standards…

• The bathtub or shower has a nonskid mat or strips on the standing area.
• Bathtub or shower doors are glazed with safety glass or plastic.
• Hand bars are installed on the walls by the bathtub and toilet.
• Electrical appliances are kept away from the bathtub/shower and sink areas.

Stairway and Hall Safety

Now consider whether your stairways and halls are safe for use.

• Steps are in good condition and are free of objects.
• Steps have nonskid strips, or the carpeting on them is securely fastened and free of fraying or holes.
• Smoke alarms are in place in hallways and near sleeping areas.
• Handrails are sturdy and securely fastened.
• Balusters are close enough to prevent a small child from placing his/her head between them.
• Light switches are located at the top and bottom of stairways and at both ends of long hallways.
• Doors do not swing out over stairs.

Living Room Safety

Check your living room for these features…

• Electric cords are placed along walls- not under rugs- and away from traffic areas.
• Chairs and couches are sturdy and secure.

Outdoor Safety

Does your outdoor area conform to these standards?

• Steps and walkways are in good condition
• Handrails are sturdy and securely fastened.
• Doorways are well lighted.
• Hedges, trees, or shrubs do not obscure the view of the street from the driveway.
• Garage doors are of a type that is easy for you to operate.
•  The garage is adequately ventilated.
• Large trees are healthy and well maintained and have no dead limbs.
• Garden and lawn equipment is stored safely.
• Toxic materials such as pesticides and fertilizer are kept in their own containers, not in unlabeled jars or bottles.

General Safety Standards

First, consider whether your home meets the following general safety standards.

• Emergency numbers are posted by each telephone.
• Appliances, lamps, and cords are clean and in good condition.
• A sufficient number of outlets are located in every room where they are needed. Outlet extensions that can accommodate several plugs are not used.
• Overload protection is provided by either circuit breakers or fuses.
• Electrical service is of sufficient capacity to serve the house (it is up to code).
• The thermostat of the water heater is set at 110F or lower to prevent accidental scalding.
• Medications are stored in a safe place according to instructions on the label of the package or container.
• Carpeting and rugs are not worn or torn.
• Small, loose rugs have nonskid backing and are not placed in traffic areas.

Follow these suggestions in making your home a safer place to live for you and your family. If your spot any deficiencies, correct them as soon as you can.

Lifesaving Tips for Seniors During Heat Wave

The risk of heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion, increases with age, experts at the U.S. National Institute on Aging warn.

As people get older, the researchers explained, they are less able to adapt to high temperatures, like those engulfing much of the nation now. As a result, the heat might exacerbate any medical conditions they have.

In addition, the elderly may develop certain health problems that could increase their risk of hyperthermia (when the body overheats), the NIA researchers pointed out in a news release from the U.S. National Institutes of Health. These include underlying diseases such as:

• Congestive heart failure
• Diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Trouble walking or moving around.
• Dementia or other problems with thinking skills.
• Overweight or obesity.
• Dehydration.
• Age-related changes to the skin, including reduced function in sweat glands.
• Medications that seniors take may cause dehydration or affect the ability of their heart, blood vessels or sweat glands to respond to the heat.

An elderly person’s environment can also influence their response to the heat. For instance, not having access to air conditioning or transportation, or overdressing could put them at greater risk for heat-related illnesses involving hyperthermia, including heat fatigue; heat syncope (lightheadedness or fainting in the heat); heat cramps; and heat exhaustion. When the body’s temperature hits 104 degrees Fahrenheit, heat stroke (an advanced form of hyperthermia) occurs.

Signs that someone is suffering from heat stroke may include:

• Strong, rapid pulse
• Lack of sweating
• Dry flushed skin
• Faintness
• Staggering
• Mental status changes, such as confusion, combativeness, disorientation or even coma

To stay cool and avoid these heat-related illnesses, you should caution the elderly to pay attention to air pollution alerts. Anyone without fans or air conditioners, they added, should go to public places with air conditioning, such as shopping malls, movie theaters or libraries.

If, however, it is suspected that someone is suffering from a heat-related illness take the following steps:

• Call 911 immediately.
• Move them into air conditioning or another cool place.
• Urge them to lie down and rest.
• Remove or loosen tight-fitting or heavy clothing.
• Encourage them to drink water or juices if they are able to drink, but avoid alcohol and caffeine.
• Apply cold water or cold compresses to their skin.

How do I go about finding a caregiver for my parent who needs assistance?

Approved In Home Care provides care to seniors, please contact us at 972-658-4001.

Approved In Home Care provides care to seniors and the elderly. We work with individuals suffering from senior related conditions and diseases. For help or more information, please contact us at 972-658-4001.

Understand Alzheimer’s in 3 Minutes

Alzheimer’s disease is named for German physician Alois Alzheimer, the first doctor to describe the disease in 1906.

In his research, Dr. Alzheimer identified an ‘unusual disease of the cerebral cortex’ in one of his female patients. This disease caused memory loss, disorientation, hallucinations, and eventually her death at the age of 55. Using a new type of stain that only he had access to, Dr. Alzheimer observed various abnormalities of the brain and was able to identify nerve tangles which had never previously been described.

The disease is also called Alzheimer disease, senile dementia of the Alzheimer’s type, or just Alzheimer’s. Even though the disease was discovered over 100 years ago, scientists still do not know what causes Alzheimer’s.

We do know:

• Alzheimer’s is a progressive and fatal brain disease—not a normal part of aging—that affects approximately 5.3 million Americans. This disease destroys brain cells and it gets worse over time.
• Alzheimer’s is the most widespread type of dementia, accounting for 50% to 80% of all cases of dementia.
• There is no cure.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the brain has 100 billion nerve cells (neurons), which communicate with each other to form networks. Some networks are involved in thinking, learning and remembering; other networks help us see, hear, smell, and move our muscles. With Alzheimer’s disease, as in other types of dementia, increasing numbers of brain cells deteriorate and die.

Averting Disaster

The two best hopes for improving lives and controlling costs are:

1. Delaying Onset of the Disease–Even modest improvements in delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s would have a big impact. The report modeled what would happen if a treatment breakthrough, starting in 2015, could delay onset of the disease by five years (this would be similar to anti-cholesterol drugs preventing heart disease). In that scenario, 1.6 million fewer Americans over 65 would have the disease in 2020, and 5.8 million fewer in 2050. This development would save Medicare and Medicaid $42 billion per year in 2020 and $362 billion per year in 2050.
2. Slowing Progression of the Disease–A treatment breakthrough that slowed disease progression would also lead to a dramatic reduction in human suffering and cost of care (this would be similar to recent developments in managing HIV/AIDS and some cancers). In the scenario modeled by the Lewin Group, the number of Alzheimer’s patients in the severe stage of the disease would drop by 1.3 million in 2020 and 5.3 million in 2050. Annual savings to Medicare and Medicaid would add up to $34 billion in 2020 and $180 billion in 2050.

Click here to watch a brief video that clearly explains Alzheimer’s disease in just 3 minutes. It shows a typical progression of the disease, how Alzheimer’s destroys parts of the brain, and how that destruction affects the person living with the disease. This video is important for family caregivers because it helps you understand the different stages of the disease and why your loved one’s behavior is changing over time. However, it is important to note that Alzheimer’s does not take the same course in all patients (as implied by the video), and many patients will exhibit symptoms in a different order than described in the film.

How do I go about finding a caregiver for my parent who has Alzheimer’s?

Approved In Home Care provides care to seniors, please contact us at 972-658-4001.

Approved In Home Care provides care to seniors and the elderly. We work with individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and other senior related conditions and diseases. For help or more information, please contact us at 972-658-4001.

Caring for Seniors with Arthritis

Advice for families and caregivers

Arthritis means joint inflammation and refers to over 100 different diseases of the joints. These diseases are chronic and cause swelling and sometimes pain and heat in the joints, resulting in reduced mobility. More than 50 percent of seniors 65 and older have one specific form of arthritis, osteoarthritis, in at least one joint.

Here are some thoughts:

•Some people find relief in applying either heat or cold, or both, sequentially. Your parent can try to see if either heat or cold, or both, helps.

•Heat can be applied with a warm pack, a warm bath, Jacuzzi or whirlpool, electric heating pad or blanket, warm lamp, or hydrocollator pack, all of which help relax the muscles.

•Other ways of making things warm and soothing are to use flannel sheets, heat up clothes in the dryer for a minute or two before putting them on, or use hot water bottles on the sore areas.

•For people who have morning stiffness, using a heating pad before they get up can help. Or they can take a warm shower when they first get out of bed.

•Cold, which helps numb the painful area, can be applied with an ice pack. It can be helpful for especially painful and swollen joints.

•Apply either heat or cold for only 15 minutes at a time.

My parent’s doctor prescribed exercise for arthritis. Won’t that make things worse?

Actually, doing the correct exercises for the specific kind of arthritis your parent has can help him or her to feel better over time.

•Your parent should only exercise as much as his or her doctor orders, and it is best if done with a physical therapist specially trained to work with arthritis patients.

•Moving the joints will help reduce stiffness, which will ultimately make your parent more comfortable.

•If your parent exercises properly, building gradually and also protecting swollen joints, his or her pain, fatigue and stiffness will all improve. But if your parent doesn’t exercise, then it is possible his or her joints can deteriorate and become so stiff that it will be difficult to move.

Why does losing weight help arthritis patients?

Excess weight puts more pressure on joints, causing more pain. That is why losing weight can help and is another reason why exercise is important for arthritis patients, as exercise helps with weight control.

Can exercising in a pool be helpful for people with arthritis?

Yes, water eases the stress on joints and makes exercising — especially stretching and aerobics — less painful for arthritis patients, reduces their chronic pain, and improves the ability to move more easily.

So one way you can help your parent is to facilitate getting him or her to a pool where they have exercise programs for people with arthritis. Make sure the water in the pool is warm enough, so your parent doesn’t get chilled.

Why did my parent’s arthritis symptoms worsen after exercising?

In general it is good to exercise, but that if your parent has pain that persists for two hours or more after exercise, then he or she has done too much and needs to cut back.

After a worsening of symptoms, your parent should only do very gentle exercises that work on range of motion. He or she can gradually progress and slowly add a few more exercises if things are going well.

Are there things my parent who has arthritis should not do when exercising?

Here are some guidelines:

•Your parent should in general move in ways that reduce stress on joints and avoid staying in one position that puts weight on joints.

•If your parent gets too tired when exercising, then he or she should stop.

•Your parent needs to learn when to stop and rest by paying attention to his or her body, as well as how to move while also saving energy.

Why does my parent who has arthritis constantly need to change positions?

Any one position puts weight on certain joints. That is why frequent changes of position are generally recommended for arthritis patients.

What can I do to help my parent who has arthritis cope with pain?

People who are in pain experience both physical and emotional stress, and stress causes muscles to tighten, which then increases the pain. So, in addition to taking whatever pain medication is recommended by your parent’s physician, activities that relax him or her can also help relieve pain. Here are some guidelines:

•Relaxation techniques are most helpful if used before pain becomes too severe.

•A wide variety of activities can produce relaxation, and your parent should explore them and find the one that fits his or her personality best. Some relaxation options include visualization; prayer; meditation; focusing on relaxing each part of the body in sequence, often accompanied by a tape; and focusing on tightening and then relaxing each part of the body in sequence.

Does my parent need to rethink the way he lives life since being diagnosed with arthritis?

This depends on how severe the disease is. If it is very pervasive and limiting, your parent needs to plan ahead or organize his or her life in ways that save energy and movement.

•Your parent can think about bundling activities — going out to one area at a time and getting things done in all the places in that area while she is there.

•Similarly, your parent could try to use whatever muscles are largest and strongest, rather than smaller, weaker ones. One example is to carry things with a shoulder bag, as opposed to by hand, as the shoulder bag would use stronger and larger muscles.

•Also, your parent can learn to ask for help when necessary. This might be difficult to do, but with practice should become easier.

•Finally, if the disease is severe your parent could consider getting a handicapped parking sticker. These can be obtained from your state’s registry of motor vehicles and the application usually requires a doctor’s signature. Having a handicapped sticker would ensure that your parent could always park close to the entrance of the building he or she is going to and might enable your parent to get out more.

•Of course, many communities provide rides for seniors, which would be another option, as would taking a cab or getting a ride from a friend, relative, or caregiver.

How do I go about finding a caregiver for my parent who has arthritis?

Approved In Home Care provides care to seniors, please contact us at 972-658-4001.

How Alzheimer’s Destroys the Brain

VIDEO

It very helpful to understand what is going on in the brain of someone suffering from Alzheimer’s. This informative and easy to understand three minute video is definitely worth you time and will benefit all those that are affected by this destructive disease.

Understanding that Alzheimer’s patients, past a certain stage, cannot store answers to questions will help you accept the problems that are associated with Alzheimer’s. Being able to understanding what is causing these problems in an Alzheimer’s patient is the first necessary step to effective Alzheimer’s caregiving. When you come to this understanding, you will stop “venting”, and you will find a comfort zone while caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease.

This video will increase your understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, and help you form the necessary frame of reference to deal with these problems effectively.

How to Manage Bad Medical News

When bad medical news hits, the blow can be devastating. Shock is almost always the first thing people feel, followed by anger, fear and often a profound sense of sadness.

An experience like this is made all the more difficult if you are someone whom others rely on.

Five Tips to Help You Manage Bad Medical News

Tip #1: Write down every question you can think of starting with the ones that concern you the most.

You might be surprised by how much better you feel after doing this. That’s because there’s something very powerful about putting our fears in writing – as if the thought aren’t free to swim around in our heads anymore because we’ve expelled them somehow. This helps us to regain a much-needed sense of control. This exercise also helps you to focus on the questions that matter most to you which is critically important when appointments are brief (and let’s face it, they often are).

Tip #2: Try to organize your questions into things you need to know by the end of today, by the end of this week, by the end of this month.

Along the same lines as #1 above, it’s very easy to get lost in conversation that is inconsequential when you’re pressed for time. Instead, understand that every minute counts. Just like the “Sell by” date on the milk container in your fridge, put a “Need to Know By” date next to each of the questions on your list so that you can stay focused during the appointment and leave with the information that’s most important.

Tip #3: Invite someone you know and trust to go with you to the appointment – preferably someone who is a good listener and note-taker.

Depending upon who’s in your social circle (and how forthcoming you’ve been with friends/family about your bad medical news), you may have more than one person offer to go with you to the next appointment. Choose wisely here. This is not the time to feel obligated to take your sister because she was your Maid of Honor 20 years ago. It’s also not the time to be a hero and go alone – got me?

The purpose of taking someone with you is a strategic one: You want an extra set of eyes and ears to help you recall what was said later on. Research shows that people hear only a small fraction of what’s said in a doctor’s office.

Tip #4: Ask questions, regardless of time constraints.

Remember that it’s easy to get stuck in conversation that’s inconsequential to you when you’re pressed for time.

Whatever happens, don’t let the hustle and bustle stop you from getting the answers you absolutely need. If you run out of time, schedule another visit as soon as possible. You are worthy and you do deserve the answers.

Tip #5: Give yourself time to digest what you’ve heard so you can make good decisions.

When you leave the doctor’s office you will likely have a mix of emotions not unlike the ones you felt going in. You should have a clear understanding of the most important things. Inevitably there will be decisions to make and next steps to take, so do yourself a favor and take some time to digest what you’ve heard. Regroup with your co-listener/note-taker to compare what you heard the doctor say.

Above all, be gentle with yourself. A diagnosis of a serious illness is one of the most stressful life experiences a person can have. If at all possible, try to find others who have been where you are and accept their support.

For more information or to learn about our caregiving serivce, contact us or call (972) 658-4001.

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